Boll-weevil destroyer



2 Sheetsnee: 2

C. A. HEILMANN BOLL WEEVIL DESTROYER Filed Sept. 15, 1926 mvv/@1 g' April 1o, 1928,

n m n M o Hui o elli:- A? 4 l A qu. a.. a o o m 1 3 M w Patented Apr. 10, 1928.

UNITED STATES CARL ARENT HEIMANN, 0F SKJELSKOR, DENMARK.

:eoLL-wnnvIL DESTROYER.

Application led September 15, 1926. Serial No. 185,679.

My invention relates to improvements in insect exterminators, it being designed particularly for destroying boll weevils which infest cotton plants, an object of the invention being to so arrange the pans which contain the destroying liquid that the 'plants are surrounded as closely as possible at the base in order that none of the insects may escape.

Another object of the invention is to so arrange the foregoing pans that they come well under the plants and in advance of all other parts of the machine thereby insuring against any possible disturbance of the plants prior tothe arrival of the machine itself.

Another obj ect of the invention is to provide covered wheels which are made to travel within the area of the pans in the manner described later.

Other objects and advantages appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved boll weevil destroyer,

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is ay cross section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

In carrying out the invention provision is made of a framework composed chiefly of a cross member 1 and a plurality of pairs 2 and 3 of longitudinal channel bars from which pans 4 and 5 as well as other structure, are suspended. The cross member 1 may be made in any desired manner, but according to the present showing is composed of a pair of angle irons 6 (Fig. 2) disposed face to face against the web of a T-bar 7 to the horizontal flanges ofvwhich axle members 8 and 9 (Fig. 3) are secured by means of clips 10 or otherwise.

As well shown in Fig. 3, the axle members are bent downwardly at right angles as at 11 and 12, and provided with series of holes 13 into certain ones of which bolts or other securing means 14 are inserted in order to sustain the complementary axle members 15 and 16 at various positions of vertical adjustment. The latter axle members are appropriately bent to receive the wheels 17 and 18, these running upon the ground and thus supporting the machine. Although the wheels are adjustable in reference to' the cross member l the adjustment of the pans 4 and 5 in respect to the ground is not thus limited as will presently appear.

The pairs of channel bars 2 and 3 are suitably secured to the cross member 1 as for example by rivets 10 (Fig. 3). These bars are in parallel relationship to each other and at right angles to the cross member. Three pairs of U-clips 20 upon the channel bars 2 support cross rods 21 to which vertical suspension rods 22 and 23 are attached by couplings 24 and 25. Of the suspension rods the central rod 23 is considerably shorter than the end rods 22. f

On the same principle, the channel bars 3 carry 3 pairs of U-clips 26 to which cross rods 27 are attached as shown. Vertical suspension rods 28 and 29 are secured to said cross rods by couplings 3() and 31. These couplings, in all instances, are arranged for lateral adjustment along the various cross rods as well as for vertical adjustment of the various suspension rods. U-clips 32 and 33,

similar in construction to any of the foregoing, are attached to adjoining bars 2 and 3 to support intermediate cross rods 34.

The latter carry couplings 35 by which intermediate rods 36 are adjustably suspended. The various suspension rods 22 and 28comprise the main supports for the pans 4 and 5 mentioned before. The lower ends of these rods are suitably fastened to cross braces 37 and 38, bent down at the ends and riveted or otherwise secured to the upstanding anges of the pans. The arrangement is well shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is now that the foregoing matter of adjustment can be understood; the pans 4 and 5 can be raised and lowered in respect to the ground regardless of the adjustment of the wheels 17 and 18 which would produce the same effect.

The pans are intended to contain a liquid suitable for destroying boll weevils or other insects when made to drop thereinto. In order that none of the insectsv may escape, the pans are made to extend as far as possible from row to row as lplainly shown in Fig. 3. By virtue of the relatively low adjustment of the pans the latter are made to ride along the basis of the bushes, out of the wayv of the branches'. In order to obviate any possibility of any undue accumulation of leaves', etc. in the liquid, the pans may be covered with wire netting 37 Y as suggested in Fig. 1. The pans are provided with partitions 38 and 39, running laterally and 1ongitudinally as shown, for the purpose ot preventing surging of the liquid during mtion ot the machine.

Openings and 41 (Fig. 3) of suihcient extent provide for the occupancy of thel wheels 17 and 418 in the substantial center.

of the pans 4 and 5. rllhese openings are flanged, as is obviously necessary to contain` the liquid. Although they are shown in the center of the pans they may conceivably be located elsewhere. Covers 42 and 43 extend down over the wheels to serve as guards. These are secured to the various suspension rods 22 and 23 as at 44, and are thus held in place.

The same securing means 44 at the front of the machine serve to hold shields or deflectors 45 and 46 in place in front ofthe front suspension rods 22 and 28. These elements extend over the corners of the covers, preventing any rough striking of the cotton branches, and serving to deflect such branches as the machine passes by. In order to make room for the hubs of the wheels as well as the downwardly extending portions of the axle members (Fig. 3) the covers are laterally enlarged as at 47 and 48.

Runners 49 and 50, two or more in number, extend lengthwise of the pans for the purpose of strengthening them. rfhel front ends of the runners are turned up and over the front rounded ends of the pans to provide gradual approaches, and to facilitate riding up of the pans over any obstruction i should such be encountered. Reverting tothe support of the covers, it is noted that the short suspension rods 23 and 29,'mentioned before are suitably attached lto the tops of the covers and in that way assist in the support of the pans themselves.

Situated in the middle of the machine, between the pans 4 and 5 and a short distance thereabove, is a combined divider and agita tor composed o'l a. fianged and pointed Vpan 51 which, like the other pans, has partitions` 52 to prevent surging of the liquid, and a covering 53 of wire netting to prevent leaves from falling into the pan. Fingers 54 of either rigid or somewhat lexible structure extend from the sides of the divided pan either straight out or on a curve as shown in Fig. 1. The fingers brush through the branches of the bushes as shown in Fig. 3, and in doing so agitate the branches causing the boll weevils to fall out. Inasmuch las the divided pan is located above the space between the main pans 4 and 5 it follows that none of the insects will escape. p

Power for the locomotion of the machine may be derived from any suitable source, the particularmeans herein disclosed pro viding for horse power. To this end a pair of shafts 55 are suitably ailixed to the framework, and braced thereto as at 56. As shown in Fig. 1 these shafts extend rearwardly of the machine. The horse, when hitched to the shafts, will push on the machine rather than pull it, thus causing the machine, particularly the pans 4 and 5 and the divider pan 51 -to come underthe branches of the Vplants in advance of all else.

The operation is readily understood. It has just been explained that the arrangement for moving the'machine provides for advancing the various pans into the plants ahead of everything else. There is therefore no danger of disturbing the branches prior to bringing the liquid pans under the branches to catch the dislodged insects.

The pans 4 and 5 are of Vsuch size that the longitudinal edges come quite close to the various rows of plants. The pans are hung close to the ground, and said edges thus run along in proximity with the bases of the plants. This is well shown in Fig. 3. The present arrangement provides for treating one complete row as well as the near parts of the two adjacent rows, but lit should be stated that in practice the machine Imay be of such extent that more rows may be treated at one time. Y

In action, the fingers 54 brush through the branches of the plants in the middle row, dislodging the insects which chiefly fall into the large pans 4 and 5 and also into the divider pan 51 which is stationed in the middle to cover the space between the large pans. The arrangement of the wheels makes such disposal of the wheels that they will not be in the way in any respect. They run through openings in the pans and are covered so as ,not to interfere with the passing branches.

It should be noted that while the wheels are shown as disposed within the area of the pans 4 and 5 they may be located in back ol the pans and serve the same purpose. ln this event the pans will engage the plant branches in advance of all else as in the case before.

lVhile the construction and arrangement of the improved boll weevil destroyer VVi s that of a general preferred form. obviously modifications and changes may be made without departing from. the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims. y

I claim 1. An insect 4destroyer comprising a wheeled supporting framework which is movable along rows of plants, an agitator for engaging the plant branches to dislodge insects, and pans so constructed and placed upon the framework that the front part of the pans will come beneath the branches in advance of the agitator, wheels and framework, the pans having openings centrally thereof receiving the wheels supporting the framework.

2. A machine of the character described comprising a plurality of pans spaced apart laterally so that they may pass beside and around plant rows, a divider pan arranged lill) above the space between a pair of the aforesaid pans, means carried by the divider pan for agitating plant branches to dislodge insects causing t-hem to drop into any of the various pans, said pair of pans having central wheel openings formed therein, a wheeled framework from which the various pans are suspended, having spaced wheels extending through said openings, and means to be engaged for pushing the framework so as to advance the pans and agitating means into the plants.

3. A machine of the character described comprising a pair of insect-receiving pans disposed in the same horizontal plane in closely spaced parallel relationship and having central longitudinal openings therein with edge flanges, partitions arranged upon the pans to prevent surging of liquid contained thereby, a wheeled frame carrying the pans and having wheels extending in and through said pan openings, means to agitate the plant branches as said spaced pans pass along at the sides of a row of plants, anu a divider pan carried by the frame located between and above said spaced pans and being partitioned to prevent the surging of liquid contained thereby, said divider pan insuring the catching of insects likely to fall between said spaced pans.

4l. A machine of the character described comprising horizontally spaced pans each having longitudinal openings therein, a framework, means by which the pans are suspended from the framework close to the ground thereby to travel beneath the branches of plants, wheels attached to and supporting the framework extending through the openings in the pans thu-s making it pos sible to introduce the pans to the plants in advance of the wheels, covers for the wheels extending therearound and down to the pans, and shields mounted upon the leading portions of the covers serving to deflect plant branches and preventing striking thereof by the corners of the covers.

5. A machine of the character described comprising insect-receiving pans, a framework from which they are suspended, and supporting wheels on which the framework is mounted said Wheels traveling upon the ground within the area of the pans which cover the entire space between pairs of rows of plants thereby leaving surrounding pan portions to catch insects dropping thereon.

6. A machine of the character described comprising a framework consisting of a cross member, a plurality of pairs of longitudinal bars attached to the cross member, cross rods attached to and extending between pairs of said bars, insect-receiving pans, means to suspend the pans from said cross rods, couplings by which the suspending means are attached for vertical and lateral adjustment, and means applied to the cross member for pushing the machine, said machine having wheels to which the framework is attached running upon the ground through openings in the pans.

7. A machine of the character described comprising a framework consist-ing of a cross member, a pair of longitudinal bars attached to the cross member, a pair of cross rods, means by which the cross rod-s are attached to the longitudinal bars substantially at the extremities of the latter, vertical suspension rods, couplings adjustably mounted on the cross rods and adj ustably holding said suspension rods, a pan attached to said suspension rods having an opening therein, means supporting the framework including a wheel running upon the ground through said opening, a cover for the wheel attached to the pan and to said suspension rods, and a shield around the leading suspension rod and leading portion of the cover being held in place by the cover-attaching` means thereof.

8. A machine of the character described comprising a supporting frame having spaced wheels, a pair of insect-receiving pans disposed in the same horizontal plane in closely spaced parallel relation adjacent to the ground, and having central longitudinal wheel receiving openings therein, a wheel housing mounted above said pan openings, and a common means depending from the frame engaging each housing and pan to support and suspend them from the frame.

CARL ARENT HEILMANN. 

